Volta ao Algarve: Thomas takes overall victory as Contador wins the final stage

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Geraint Thomas has won the Volta ao Algarve thanks to gaining time on race leader Tony Martin (Etixx-QuickStep) on the uphill finish of Alto do Malhao.

Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) won the stage after making a late attack but failed to pull back enough time to threaten Thomas in the final classification.

Fabio Aru (Astana) finished second on the stage, beating Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) in a sprint to the line. Thomas was a few seconds further back but had done enough to win because Martin had been distanced earlier in the stage.

Thomas played a savvy tactical game on the final climb to take the overall win.

"Once Tony Martin got dropped first time up the climb the stage was all about defending that lead," he told TeamSky.com. "Izagirre was the biggest threat after that and I just didn't get carried away when Contador and Rigo (Uran) attacked. I just followed Izagirre all the way until well into the last kilometre. I had a little dig myself but I kind of knew I had it by then.

"The worst thing that could happen was to follow Contador, blow up and then maybe lose the race overall. It was just about playing it safe and finishing the job off. I knew the climb from last year and we do it twice in the race. So I knew the effort it involved and I just didn't want to get carried away and go into the red until necessary. It's been a big team effort, and all week the boys have been great and supporting me all the way through."

Contador said the stage win was a conformation of his improving form ahead of his next start at Paris-Nice.

"I hadn't raced since a number of months, and on the second stage I probably lacked a bit of energy in the final part, that's why I lost more time than I would have lost under normal conditions," he said. "For that reason, for me, today was an important day. I had the legs and I was feeling I could win. That's why the squad worked together with Movistar and we clinched the win.

"I'm very happy with this victory and I'd like to dedicate it to Oleg Tinkov and Tinkoff Bank for their backing and the trust they have shown through their sponsorship during the last four years," he said. "It's, obviously, easier to win when you have that kind of support. We will keep fighting, with our sights always set on the big goal of the year, the Tour de France."

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